Falling in love with Marrakech on her first visit was easy for a young British visitor, but creating her own serene oasis in the heart of the city turns out to be no simple matter

Courtyard

Courtyard

From her very first glimpse of the Atlas Mountains through an airplane window, Philomena Merckoll knew she was going to fall in love with Morocco. She and her mother discovered the country together in 2005 and were instantly seduced by the energy and atmosphere of Marrakech. Soon afterward, she decided to look for a home there. Riad Mena, on the outskirts of the medina, is the result. Today, after several years of restoration work and a good deal of imagination, the place blends traditional elements and modern touches into one cohesive and elegant whole.

The inner courtyard of Philomena Merckoll's house in Marrakech; the doors and windows are painted in a custom green-gray.

upstairs balcony

upstairs balcony

"I loved Morocco right away," says Merckoll, who grew up in London before studying in Dublin, Berlin, Paris, and New York, and now works in the field of contemporary art. "It all clicked very naturally, and this was actually one of the first houses that we saw. What I love about the riad is that it has this amazing harmony to it. It's very peaceful and very relaxed."

The upstairs balcony, the Mies van der Rohe chair was found at a local flea market and re-covered in leather by a local artisan, the pendants are from Mustapha Blaoui in the souks, and the flooring is traditional mosaic tile.